Periodontics & Hygiene services

Specialist gum disease treatment in Merseyside

Periodontics is the area of dentistry concerned primarily with treating periodontitis, or gum disease. At The Sandstone Dental Practice, we offer specialist periodontal care, working closely with our hygienists so that, together, we can educate patients on the homecare regime practices that stop gum disease in its tracks.

When disease causes the mouth to become unhealthy, for whatever reason, it can be a distressing experience. Periodontal treatment and routine dental care can restore your whole mouth to full health, as well as helping to solve problems associated with sore gums and loose teeth.

Specialist gum disease prevention in Heswall and the Wirral

If you have gingivitis (early-stage gum disease), your dentist or hygienist will ensure that you are cleaning your teeth gently and thoroughly. Your home care regime is absolutely key to preventing progression of this “silent disease” In the surgery, we can support your home care by gently polishing the teeth with an abrasive paste and a special instrument called a scaler. If gingivitis has developed into periodontitis, which is more serious, you may need more extensive treatment to remove hard deposits in harder to reach areas, under the gums. We will carefully monitor your progress during treatment and beyond to make sure treatment has been successful and the periodontitis is under control.

Specialist gum disease prevention in Heswall and the Wirral

The kind of periodontal treatment we offer at The Sandstone Dental Practice will depend on the severity of your gum disease. If you have gingivitis (early-stage gum disease), your dentist or hygienist will clean your teeth gently and thoroughly with abrasive toothpaste, an electric toothbrush and a special instrument called a scaler. If gingivitis has developed into periodontitis, which is more serious, you may need more extensive treatment to remove plaque and tartar from under the gums. We will monitor your progress during treatment and beyond to make sure treatment has been successful and the periodontitis is under control.

FAQs

Treatments range from a simple scale and polish, to remove disease-causing plaque and tartar, to root surface debridement, which involves cleaning under the gum line – an anaesthetic is sometimes required for this, however often treatment can be provided comfortably without the need for anaesthetic and sometimes several appointments may be required. In severe cases, surgery may be required to lift the gum for cleaning and reshape it for future protection. When gum disease is too advanced, tooth extraction is the only remaining option.

Your hygienist is qualified to carry out a professional deep-clean that removes plaque and tartar from areas brushing often misses. Your hygienist will also ensure you understand how to clean effectively at home, and recommend the right products and techniques for your needs. You can also consult your hygienist for professional help with diet, nutrition and lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking.

The first thing to do is visit your dentist for a thorough check-up of your teeth and gums. The dentist can measure the ‘cuff’ of gum around each tooth to see if there is any sign that periodontal disease has started. X-rays may also be needed to see the amount of bone that has been lost. This assessment is very important, so the correct treatment can be prescribed for you.

The consequences of not treating gum disease are serious. If the symptoms of swollen and bleeding gums are ignored, the gums can start to erode and the teeth will lose support and possibly fall out. This is known as periodontitis, a disease which can be controlled but not cured.